Squad blames Mou for useless and exhausting preseason

What are the real reasons behind the crisis? The Real Madrid players put it down to a physical problem, as a result of what they consider a poor preseason. Mourinho, meanwhile, believes that it all comes down to the wrong attitude.

The players say they are not in good shape. Many of them describe the preseason in the United States as "useless and exhausting", with lots of travel and little work. Let us not forget that they took four internal flights.

Mourinho points to mental problems, not physical ones – ambition, or lack of it, to be precise. The Portuguese coach does not understand why the players have dropped their heads after only winning one league title, one Cup and one Super Cup.

When he stated that many of the players are not concentrating on football after the Sevilla game, Mou was referring to the publicity events which the players have attended recently. Arbeloa, Xabi and Casillas devoted the entire Thursday morning, after 10 days with the Spain squad, to promoting their new boots.

Nor has Mourinho's blasting of his players gone down well in the dressing room. The players think that the manager should tell them in private and not in the media. It is not the first time that Mou has done this and nor is it the first time that part of the squad have reproached him for it. The rift between the coach and the players continues to grow.